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Friday, July 17, 2015

Slave to Sensation (Psy-Changeling, #1) by Nalini Singh ~ Review

Source: Received an eBook copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Nalini Singh dives into a world torn apart by a powerful race with phenomenal powers of the mind-and none of the heart.

In a world that denies emotions, where the ruling Psy punish any sign of desire, Sascha Duncan must conceal the feelings that brand her as flawed. To reveal them would be to sentence herself to the horror of "rehabilitation" - the complete psychic erasure of everything she ever was...

Both human and animal, Lucas Hunter is a changeling hungry for the very sensations the Psy disdain. After centuries of uneasy coexistence, these two races are now on the verge of war over the brutal murders of several changeling women. Lucas is determined to find the Psy killer who butchered his packmate, and Sascha is his ticket into their closely guarded society. But he soon discovers that this ice-cold Psy is very capable of passion - and that the animal in him is fascinated by her. Caught between their conflicting worlds, Lucas and Sascha must remain bound to their identities - or sacrifice everything for a taste of darkest temptation.

Review...

I was going through some books that had been on my shelf for a while, trying to decide on one to read next. I picked this one up to just read a bit and see if it should be put on the short list of ones to pick from. Yeah, that ended at 4AM when I finished the book.

I so regret putting this series and this author off. I love this world. It's interesting, complex, and drew me right in. Three types of people. Psy (think cerebral without emotions), changeling (shifters of all types) and human make up this world. The Psy like to think they're in charge but it's the changelings that have saved the planet. They don't all play nice most of the time and working together is not a thing. It's a compelling world that has so much going on it that I'm not surprised there's 15 books in this series.

And I'm going to work my way through those 15 books. I've already bought book 2 and I want to dive right in.

I love the writing in this book. This is high praise from me because it's written in third person. If you've read my reviews, you know I don't care for third person. But the difference here is that the author seamlessly moves from each characters POV in third person to the point that it feels so normal. I felt attached to the character (which is normally what I dislike about third person) and I was happy that the POV switched more frequently than every chapter. I never wanted a break from this book and the writing was a big part of that.

The characters are full, vivid people that I want to spend time with. They were real to me. Sascha is a Psy that thinks she's defective because she feels. She hides this from everyone to protect herself from the mind wipe that would happen if she were discovered. Her belief that she is deteriorating and soon to be discovered moves her to do things she may not have done otherwise but her interest in a certain leopard changeling is the center of the story. I love that Sascha is actually stronger than she gives herself credit for. She stands up for herself among the changelings and she has an innate need to help those in emotional pain. I really love her. Though, I did want to smack her at one point, but she really believed she was doing what was best for Lucas.

Ahhh, Lucas. I so love this alpha leopard. He sees something in Sascha he's never seen in Psy before. And he wants things with her that shouldn't be possible with a Psy. As they work together, he does a great job of cutting through her mask that the world sees. He find the real Sascha. And once he does, he knows. Oh, yeah, not telling you that. But I love how fiercely he protects what's his. He's suffered so much in a short time and being helpless to protect is his weakness. But he's also stubborn in his desire to protect what's his. I love that stubbornness. I was so happy he had it. Yeah, don't mess with the alpha.

I've craved good paranormal for a while now and I've found a series that needs to be devoured. If that's your wish too, then make sure you make time for this one.

I need to read a good paranormal. I'm adding this one to my list. I'm not usually a fan of third person. I prefer first person. However, the fact that you connected and loved the writing, and character's has me wanting to check this book out! Wonderful Review Val :)